Pump



D. C. HAY ET A1.

PUMP

Filed Aug. 14, 1959 July n14, 1942.

Patented .ulvy 14, 1,942

AUNITED STATES PATENT ortica 2,289,706 'PUMPl David C. Hay and Roy W.Hays, South Bend, Ind.

Application August 14, 1939, Serial No. 289,974

9 Claims. (Cl. 10B-'72) This invention relates to improvements in pumps,and has for its prim'ary object to provide a pump which is simple inconstruction, inexpensive to manufacture `and operate, highly eflicient,and which includes only a small number of moving parts.

A further object is to provide a pump which is self draining and hencenon-freezing. j

A further object is to provide a novel selfpriming pump.

A further object is to provide a pump which will supply air to a-pneumatic storage tank ahead of a column of water on starting, to atleast assist in maintaining air supply in the tank.

A further object is to provide a pump utilizing a member moving freelyat high speed through a tube for forcing a constant stream of liquidthrough the tube.

A further object is to provide a pump having sheaves positioned at upperand lower ends of a well and around which a flexible endless member istrained for movement at high speed, with the upwardly extending run ofsaid member passing freely through a conduit to imipel liquid upwardlythrough said conduit.

A further object is to provide a pump having an iinpeller with means forfeeding liquid t said impeller comprising a feed conduit having itsdischarge end juxtaposed to said impeller and a member continuouslyshifting unidirectionally in said conduit.

A further object is to provide a pump having an intake conduit, animpeller chamber, an outlet, an impeller in said chamber, and an endlessmember extending freely through said intake conduit.

A further object is to provide a pump having a chambered casing providedwith intake and outlet openings, a rotatable drive member in saidcasing, and an endless member actuated by said drive member and -passingfreely through said intake opening, wherein water passage clearance isprovided in said chamber at one side of said drive member, between saidintake and `outlet openings, and the casing w-all is positioned adjacentto the drive member and endless member in rotational direction beyondsaid outlet.

A further object is to provide a pump having a feed passage, an outletand a restricted by-pass branching from said outlet wherein an endlessmember is shifted at high speed through the feed passage to and throughsaid restricted bypass to force liquid through said feed passage fordischarge at said outlet.

Other objects will be apparent from the de-V scription and appendedclaims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of a pump mounted in operativerelation to |a well and taken on line I-I' of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional view taken online 2 2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional detail view taken on line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional detail view taken on line 44 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional detail view taken on line 55 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional detail view taken on line 66 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing which illustrates one embodiment of theinvention, numeral I'll designates a pump head which is mounted on abase plate II above a well suitably lined by a tubular casing I2.

The pump head I0 comprises a housing I3 preferably formed of two -partswhose par-ting plane Ill extends vertically and substantially centrallyof the housing. Housing I3 is provided with an upper chamber I5 and alower chamber I6 smaller than chamber I5. An intake passage I1 extendssubstantially vertically from the bottom of housing I'3 for tangentialmarginal communication with chamber I5. An outlet passage I8 extendstangentially from the margin of chamber I5, preferably opposite passageI1. Apassage I9 positioned intermediate the intake passage I1 and outletpassage I8 affords communication between chambers I5 yand I 5, and isseparated from passage I1 by face contacting internal ribs 20 of the twohousing parts and is separated from passage I8 by face contactinginternal ribs 2l of the two housing parts. A passage 22 extendstangentially downwardly from chamber I1 to the bottom of the housing inadjacent parallel relation to passage I1 but separated therefrom .byribs 23. The margins 23 the housing parts and ribs 2E), 2I are providedwith suitable bolt holes 24, and may have a gasket (not shown)interposed therebetween.

The two housing parts are provided with projections 25 concentric withchamber I5 to receive bearings 26 for journaling a drive shaft 21 suchas the shaft of a suitable motor 28 mounted on plate II. A securing cap29 for a sealing gland or collar 33 may be provided for effecting asealed joint between the shaft .and housing at the point at which saidshaft enters the housing.

An impeller 3|' is xedly mounted on shaft 21 and ts snugly in chamberI5, said impeller being rotatable in said chamber. Impeller 3| isprovided with a central circumferential groove 32 constituting the samea sheave. A series of radially extending Vanes 33 project from theimpeller at opposite sides of groove 32.

An idler sheave 34 is mounted on a shaft 35 journaled in bearings 36mounted in cup-shaped projections 31 at opposite sides 4of the housingI3 lconcentrically of chamber It.

The upper ends of ribs 2li, 2| are recessed or outwardly off-set fromthe parting plane of housing I3, and inserts 38, 39 respectively, aremounted in said recesses with their upper ends projecting into saidchamber I5 centrally of the transverse dimension thereof to formopen-ended channels or grooves 40 at opposite sides of said insertsthrough which impeller varies 33 may move as the impeller rotates.Insert 38 carries a block 4I, preferably formed of rubber or likematerial, which projects upwardly from said insert to iit snugly in thegroove 32 of the impeller. between the impeller vanes 33 to constitute asuction block.

Base plate II has an opening therein concentric with the lower end ofintake passage I5, but of larger diameter, which opening is larger atthe top than at the bottom of said plate to form a shoulder SIintermediate the faces of said plate. The upper end of a conduit 42 isprovided with an annular out-turned iiange 43 of a size to pass freelythrough the restricted portion of the plate opening. A two-part collar44 fits in the plate opening supported on a shoulder 6I and snuglyencompasses the upper end of conduit 42 and underlies iiange 43. Asuitable externally threaded nut or ring 45 provided with suitableopenings 46 for manipulation of the ring by a Spanner wrench is threadedin the plate opening to press upon ange 43 and clamp said flange betweenitself and collar 44. Ring 45 is preferably provided with a taperedannular projection 41 adjacent its inner periphery which seats againstthe bend between conduit 42 and its flange 43 to enhance the clampingaction of said ring and prevent distortion of the conduit. Conduit 42may be formed from copper, stainless steel or any other suitablematerial, and is preferably of thin wall section. A second opening 63 inplate I l registers With head passage 22.

Conduit 42 must be formed of multiple conduit units for use in a well ofaverage or greater than average depth. To accommodate jointing of thethin wall conduit units, the ends of each unit are provided with annularout-turned flanges 4S adapted for face contacting engagement withflanges of adjacent aligned conduits. A ring 49 of a thicknessapproximately equal to the width of flange 43 fits around the end of oneconduit at a joint, and an elongated externally screw threaded collar5i) of, an outer diameter greater than that of flanges 48 fits aroundthe other conduit at a joint. Ring 49 and collar 50 both have endcontours to t solidly and supportingly against iianges 3. A cap 5Ihaving an inturned apertured end 52 bears against the end of ring 49 andis threaded on collar 5i), thereby serving to urge conduit anges 48 intotight engagement without deforming or injuring the thin walled conduit.Collar 53 and cap 5I may be provided with sockets 53 to accommodatetightening thereof by a Spanner wrench.

Conduit 42 extends into the well adjacent and preferably below the waterlevel, although it may terminate above the water level as shown; and itslower end 54 outwardly flared. A pair of clamps 55 are adjustablymounted on the lower end of conduit 42 in longitudinally spacedrelation. Clamps 55 support a comparatively short conduit 53v inparallel relation to conduit 42. The conduit 5S has a flared upper end5l and mounts a casting at its lower end. The casting has a tubularupper end 58 communicating with conduit 58 and its lower end constitutesa housing 59 which journals a sheave BIJ.

A flexible endless member 62 of any suitable character and constructionconstitutes the actuating member of the pump. The member 62 may beformed of any suitable material which is strong enough to support itsown weight and to withstand the hard wear incident to high speedoperation. For example, in a shallow well, ordinary sash cord may beused; while in a deep well it will be necessary to use a member having aflexible rnetal core and a iiexible liquid resisting coating. The member62 is of uniform cross section throughout and is of a size to passfreely through conduit 42 and to have clearance therein. Member 62 istrained around lower sheave 6B, passes upwardly through conduit 42 andpassage II of the housing, extends around impeller 3l, seating incircumferential groove 32 thereof between vanes 33, thence passesthrough passage I9, around sheave 34 and through passage 22 into wellcasing i2 and conduit 5G and casting 53, 49.

Motor 2S serves to rotate the impeller 3I at high speed, therebyshifting endless member 62 therewith, As member 62 passes through theliquid between sheave 6! and the lower end of conduit 42, it serves topropel liquid to and upwardly through the conduit and into the pumphousing. While it is preferable to immerse the lower end of conduit 42in the liquid, this is not essential as long as said conduit terminatesadjacent the liquid level. In one test it was found that the pump testedoperated without diminution of efficiency, pressure or volume when theconduit was positioned twelve inches above the level of the water beingpumped. This dimension is given as illustrative only, since the spacingpermissible will vary under Various conditions and with different typesof liquids. The member 52 must have clearance in conduit 42. Forexample, goods results are obtained where the member 52 is of a crosssectional dimension approximately one-half the interior diameter of theconduit @2, though the proportions of these parts may also vary within awide range. The volume of liquid pumped and the pressure thereof in anygiven pump construction increases with increased operating speed.

' It is not essential that an impeller be used with the device, thoughincreased emciency is obtained thereby.

The insert 39 which fits closely adjacent member 62, and affordsclearance for vanes 33, serves to restrict the opening for member 62.This arrangement, coupled with the tangential arrangement of dischargepassage I8 with reference to the impeller, reduces to a minimum thelosses in operating efficiency of this type of pump. However, liquidcarried by the impeller vanes and by member d2 may drain throughpassages I9, 22 of the housing and back to the liquid supply.

Rubber block 4I carried by insert 38 fits into and bears on groove 32 ofthe impeller to constitute a suction block.

It will be observed that this pump possesses a large number of practicaladvantages. It is selfpriming by virtue of the positive lifting actionof member 62 as it moves upwardly through the liquid supply. It isself-draining and consequently is not subject to freezing. When the pumpis connected with a` pneumatic storage tank, it forces air in theconduit 42 and associated passages into the tank ahead of the column ofwater upon each starting operation and thereby assists in maintaining ahead of air pressure in said tank. The pump has only one nonrotatingoperating part (member 62) and this moves unidirectionally to minimizefriction and wear. The assembly is simple and inexpensive by reason ofthe simplicity of the parts. The pump is applicable to any type of wellby merely having the size and capacity thereof proportioned to the depthof the well. The mounting of the lower sheave adiustably on feed conduitt2 makes for simplicity of application and ease of replacement forrepair and adjustment, as upon lowering of the level of the liquid to bepumped.

It will be obvious that various changes may be made in the specificconstruction of the device without departing'from the spirit of theinvention as herein described and claimed. One such change, especiallyapplicable in wells of small diameter, is entire elimination of conduit4?., whereby the movement of the endless member is utilized to elevatethe liquid inthe well or liquid source to a surface pump or othersuitable liquid collector, and the endless member suspends a suitablesheave, suitably balanced, as by a suspended counterweight, within theliquid source and below the liquid level thereof.

We claim.:

1. The combination with a source of liquid supply, of a sheavepositioned below the liquid level of said source, a drive sheavepositioned above the level of said liquid, an endless flexible elongatedmember trained around said sheaves and moving at high speed, and meansproviding a continuous liquid confining passage extending upwardly fromadjacent the level of said liquid and above the lower sheave to anoutlet adjacent said drive sheave, the upper end of said passage beingcurved concentric with and being defined in part by said drive sheave,the upwardly extending run only of said flexible member passing throughsaid passage for substantially its full length to force liquid from saidsource upwardly through said passage, said passage being substantiallyuniform throughout its length and of a cross sectional area to retainliquid within the sphere of inuence of said moving flexible member,whereby operation of said member normally maintains said passage lledwith liquid to the level of said outlet.

h2. A pump comprising a housing having a liquid passage of substantiallyuniform cross sectional area between a liquid intake and a liquidoutlet, a rotatable member journaled in said housing intermediate saidintake and -outlet and partially dening said passage, an insert xed insaid housing between said intake and rotatable member and engaging theperiphery of said rotatable member to partially denne the inner wall ofsaid passage, an elongated tube depending from said housing andcommunicating with said intake, said tube being of substantially thesame cross sectional area as said passage, a sheave, means forjournaling said sheave below the bottom of said tube and within a sourceof liquid, an endless member trained around said rotatable member andsheave with a portion thereof eX- tending through said tube and intakeand a portion exteriorly of said tube, and means for driving saidendless member at high speed withl the portion thereof in said tubemoving upwardly.

3. A pump as defined in claim 2, wherein said housing has a restrictedpassage partially defined by said rotatable member and branching fromsaid outlet through which said endless member passes.

4. A pump comprising a hollow housing having internal ribs defining aliquid passage interrupted by a cavity, a drive sheave journaled in saidhousing within said cavity to dene the intermediate portion of ,saidpassage, an elongated tube extending downwardly frcm said housing andcommunicating with said passage, said passage being substantially ofuniform size and equal to the size of said tube, a fixture adjustablycarried by the lower end of said tube, a sheave journaled by saidfixture below said tube and within a body of liquid, and an endlessmember trained around said sheaves with its upwardly shifting runpassing through said tube, and meansfor moving said member at highspeed.

5. The combination with a well, of a tube extending into said well,means carried by said tube for journaling a sheave below said tube andbelow the liquid level of said well, a chambered pump head, a drivesheave journaled in said pump head, internal ribs in said pump headterminating adjacent said drive sheave and cooperating therewith todefine the inner wall of a substantially uniform liquid passagecommunicating with said tube and extending past said drive sheave, andan endless member trained around said sheaves, and means icr moving saidmember at high speed through said tube and passage.

6. In a pump having an endless flexible-elongated actuating member, thecombination of means providing a substantially vertical uniform liquidpassage through which an upwardly moving part or" said actuating memberpasses at high speed, a sheave guiding said endless member, a hollowmember through which a downwardly moving part of said actuating memberpasses, said hollow member journaling said sheave within a body ofliquid, and means carried by the lower end of said means for mountingsaid hollow member.

'7. A pump comprising a chambered housing having an intake and an outletand an arcuate portion therebetween, a drive sheave journaled in saidhousing concentric with said arcuate portion and of a width to span thehousing chamber, an interior rib in said housing extending from saidintake to said sheave in substantially tangential relation to saidsheave, a second interior rib extending tangentially from said sheave tosaid outlet, said ribs cooperating with said sheave to define the innerwall of a substantially continuous liquid conning passage of uniformcross sectional area, an elongated depending tube communicating withsaid intake and of the same internal cross sectional area as saidpassage, an endless member extending through said tube and passage andtrained around said sheave, the inner end of said second rib beingspaced from said sheave a distance only slightly greater than thethickness of said endless member, and means for driving said sheave.

8. The combination dened in claim 7, and a sheave carrier extendingbelow and carried by the lower end of said tube, and a sheave journaledin said carrier.

9. The combination deiined in claim 7, and an idler sheave journaled insaid housing below said drive sheave and adjacent said iirst rib toguide the downwardly extending run of said endless member.

DAVID C. HAY. ROY W. HAYS.

